Controlling device for phonographs



E. O. BRUN|NG. comaoluws DEVICE roe PHDNOGRAPHS.

APPLICATION FlLED-MAR 18| I920. 1,373,994, Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET L l l I v i vw ' WENTOR 7 I TTORNE Y8 E. 0. BREUNING.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

APPLICAHON FILED MAR. 18, 1920.

1 73,994. Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

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' 77 i M 75 J66 a 6a 74 67 WITNESSES MENTOR A TTORNE Y8 E. 0. BREUNING.

CONTROH I NG DEVICE FOR PHONOGRAPHS. APPErcmon FILED MAR. 18. 1920.

Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

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4 TTORNEYS E. O. BREUNING. CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR PHONOGRAPHS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. I8. I920- 1,373,994, Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

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WITNESSES INVENTOR Z en O-Bfle A TTORNE V8 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlE..

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

Application filed March 18, 1920. Serial No. 366,750.

To all 10 from it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUcnN O. BREUNING, a citizen of Germany, and resident of Hoboken, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Controlling Device for Phonographs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to phonographs and more particularly to a device for controlling the operation of the same.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character described, in the nature of an attachment for phonographs which is designed to actuate the phonograph at a predetermined time.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a time controlled mechanism for actuating the turn table of a phonograph prior to the presentation of the needle in contact with the record. a

A further object of the invention is to provide a controlling mechanism for phonographs which is applicable to clocks of various standard types.

A. still further object of the invention is to provide in combination with a time controlled phonograph actuating mechanism, means for automatically stopping the phonograph. 4

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described reversible in order to render the same applicable to phonographs having various arrangements of the tone arm.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is simple in construction and operation, inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in its purpose.

With these and other objects in View, some of which will be more readily apparent when the nature. purpose and operation is better understood from the following description and claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which;

Figure 1 is a plan viewof the attachment illustrating the same applied to a phono- "raph. r Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the attachment as applied to a phonograph having a tone arm arranged reversely to that shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the attachment illustrating the arrangement of parts when the same are set.

Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the arrangement of parts after the same have been operated to start the phonograph.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the attachment with the housing removed and parts in section, the dotted lines illustrating the arrangement of the reversible elements for the application of the device to a phonograph having a different ai'rai'lgcxnent of the lone arm.

Fig. (3 is :i side elevation of the attachment.

Fig. 7 is a front end view of the same.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the re movable housing.

Fig. 9 is a collective view illustrating the manner in which the attachment is applied to the motor board.

Fig. 10 is a detail fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the attaching means.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the friction brake for the turn table.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken approximately on the line 12l2 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line 13-13 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference which denote like parts throughout the several views thereof, A designates the motor board of a phonograph having the usual rotary turn table B mounted thereon for the reception of the record C. In the type of phonograph illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings the tone arm D is disposed at the right hand side of the phonograph and the same is provided with the usual sound box E and needle F.

The controlling device is designated generally by the character G and the same is designed to be operated by any standard form of clock H provided with an alarm mechanism.

The controlling device includes a base plate 10 having avertical end wall 11 and a side Wall 12. An angular bracket 13 is mounted on the end wall 11 by a set screw 14 to permit of vertical adjustments of the same. A horizontal shelf 15 is supported by the angular bracket 13 for universal horizontal adjustments by means of the set bifurcated as at 42 to screw1.'16.:: Theishelf is prefei ably'of arcilate formation to conform" to and closely embrace the clock H and the same is provided with the slots 17: to receive the feet of the clock. A pair of feet engaging and retaining members 18 are'secnred to the shelf adjacent the slots 17 and the same are normallynforced into engaging and retain- 24in the side edges of the base late. A The attaching plate is rovidedv wi a headed stud 25 which is a apted to be received by the key hole slot 26 i n the base plate. A vertically movable spring pressed latch 27, is arranged k in the, housing ,28 a and a the lower end'of 'said catch 'is designed to' enter the latch opening 29 in the attachin pla'tefor locking the device to thegattaehing plate after tli'e fianges'23 and thestiid ,25 have been properly positioned in the notches '24 .andthe key hole slot 2.' The upper end of the late-11:27 isjprovide with an exteriorly dis pposed handle 30 for releasin -the same. 1 beveledj ear 31 isrotatably mounted on a stub shaft 32 positioned in the upper po'rtio npf their ide wall 12 and a housing 33 for covering the same supports a drive shaft 34 mounted in said housing at a right angle to the axial center of the stub shaft and beveled gear. A beveled pinion 35 is keyed to the drive shaft whichis shiftable longitudinally in'the housing 33 to respectivelyrnga'ge or disengagesaid pinion with the beveledgeari A coiledexpansion spring 36 is disposed between the ear and an angle bracket 37: forno rmally effecting the disengagement of the pinion ,with the gear and a clutch leverBS having a forked portion 39 is adapted to eng'a e an annular groove 40 in the sleeve 41 \VhIGlI, is keyed to the forward extremity of the drive shaft whereby to. retain the pinion in engagement withthe gear. The extremity of the, sleeve 41 is provide a yoke for embracing (the alarm key 43 of the clock H. The opposite extremity of the drive shaft 34 v proj ects outwardly of the casing through the angle bracket: and has secured thereto a manipulating knob 44. The rear face of the .beveledlgear 31 is provided with a pair of diametrically disposed studs-45 and 46 which project through the arcuateslots 47 and 48 formed inthe side wall 12. A bell crank lever 49 is pivoted as at 50 to the inner side of the side wallfl2 ata point below the stub shaft 32. "Theuppei'"arn15l 'of the bell crank lever is adapted to be connected by means of a link52 to either one of the studs -15 or 4-6. The extremity of the arm 51 is provided with a'slot 53 and the wall 12 is provided with a slot 54 in which the connecting pin 55 is adapted to operate. The

a lower arm 56 of the bell crank lever is open tively connected with a slide 57 by means of a pin 58. The side flange 59 of the slide guides the same in its movements through themediumof theengagement of the pins 60 with the 'slots '61 provided in the lower portion of the wall 12. The rear extremity of the's'lideis provided vith upturned ears '62 having alined openings for the reception of ac'fransverse pin 63 upon which is mountcd for vertical swinging movement a yoke 64.

The means for raisin and lowering the tone arm D of the graphophone comprises a supporting arm which is vertically ailjustable in the sleeve 66, said sleeve being mounted on the vertical shaft 67 which is provided on the base plate 10. The slide is provided with vertically disposed alined ears 68 on its opposite [side edges and the same are provided with inclined slots 69 for ,the reeeption of the trunnions 70 projecting 'fnom oppositesides of the sleeve '66 whereby upon longitudinalmovement of theslide :1

raising andlowering of the sleeve 66 will be efi'ected, to lift ordrop the supporting arm 65} The bottoin'Qwzill of the slide is slotted as at 71 to accommodate the vertical 3 shaft.67.

The rear end of the base plate 10 is provided adjarentits extremity with a VQl tli'fll boss 72 constituting a bearing for the hori zontal friction brake lever 73 pivoted thereon as at 74. The lever isof an ular formation and the freeextremity of the same constitutes a brakeshoe 75 which is adapted to be movedinto and out of engagement with the peripheral edge of the turn table Bi The pivoted portion of the lever is providedw'ith an extension constituting an actuating nose 76 which is designed to co-act with the cam face 77 of the yoke 64 for imparting a throw to the free end of the brake lever whereby lo-disengage the brake shoe 75 and break its frictional contact with the turn table. I

The-means for retaining the lever 73 in its position to dispose thebrake shoe out of frictional engagement with the turn table includes the spring pressed catch 78 which is provided with a finger '79 adapted to engage: the notch 80 in the lever 73 when the same registers therewith. A coiled contractilespring 8l secured at one extremity to a stud 82 on the baseplate and at its opposite extremity to ,aistud 83 on the nose 76 serves to normally tension the brake lever to force the brake shoe against the turn table and Ill) the catch 78 serves to retain the brake shoe out of engagement with the turn table against the action of the spring 81.

Means is also provided for stopping the machine when the playing of the record has been completed and said means is in the nature of a releasing device which operates on the spring pressed catch 78 to disengage the finger 79 from the notch 80 whereby to permit the spring 81 to throw the brake shoe into contact with the turn table. The releasing device is illustrated at 84 and the same is in the nature of a bifurcated plate mounted on a vertical shaft 85 carried by the ex tremity of the base plate thefurcations 86 of the plate form inwardly extending beveled terminals 87 which are adapted to engage with the down turned V-shaped end 88 of the spring pressed catch 78 whereby upon movement of the plate in either direction a disengagement of the finger 79 with the notch 80 will result, in order to permit the stopping device to function automatically. The vertical shaft 85 is provided with a bore for the reception of a crank 89, the upturned outer extremity 90 of which lies in the path of movement of the tone arm which is adapted to contact therewith when the same has been moved across the record and the playing of the same completed. The brake lever and the releasing device may function if desired independently as an automatic stop for a phonograph and in order to provide a manual manipulating means for moving i the lever 73. the same has been rovided with oppositely disposed cars 91.

A removable casing 92 for housing the mechanism is provided and the same is retained in place by means of a bolt and finger nut 93. A lug 94 is also provided on the base plate and is adapted to enter the socket 95 for the )roper positioning of the casing relative t ereof.

In operation of the device, the alarm mechanism of the clock is wound up by its key 43 and the same is positioned on the shelf as illustrated. The clutch lever 38 is disengaged from the groove 40 and the same is rotated to properly position the alarm key embracing yoke 42 over the key 43, the beveled gear 31 having been previously rotated to dispose the stud 46 at the upper extremity of the arcuate slot 47. This arrangement of the stud due to its connection with the :2: link 52 and the bell crank lever 49 disposes the yoke 64 over the actuating nose 76 so that the extremity of said nose contacts with the cam surface 77. The brake lever 73 is swung to a position to dispose the brake shoe 75 in frictional contact with the turn table B of the phonograph. The upturned outer extremity of. the crank isv positioned in the path of movement of the tone arm D ata point where the tone arm will engage the same when the playing of the record has been completed. The alarm mechanism of the clock is set in the usual manner to operate at a predetermined time and when such a time arrives the alarm key 43 \vill.rotate the drive shaft and the pinion 35 which has been engaged with the beveled gear 31. As the gear 31 turns the upper arm 51 of the path crank lever will be moved downwardly through the medium of the link 52, thus throwing the arm 56 forward to move the slide in the same direction. As the slide moves forward the cam surface 77 co-acting with the nose 76 will throw the friction brake lever to disengage the brake shoe 75 from frictional contact with the turn table and as the notch 80 in the lever registers with the fingers 79 of the spring pressed catch, said fingers will enter said notch to retain the brake lever in inactive position. Simultaneously the engagement of the inclined slots 69 with the trunnions 70 on the sleeve will effect a downward movement of the same permitting the supporting arm 65 to lower the tone arm and sound box until the needle F contacts with the record. it will thus be seen that the turn table and record will have completed several revolutions prior to the contact of the needle with the record for properly starting the playing operation. At the time that the playing of the record is completed the tone arm D will have reached and engaged the up turned outer extremity 90 of the crank and the engagement with the same'will rotate the shaft 85 a suflicient distance to swing the releasing plate 84, the engagement of. one of the beveled terminals 87 with the V- shapcd end 88 of the catch serving to disengage the finger 79 from the notch 80. The spring 81 will then throw the brake lever 73 to a'position to brake the turn table by the engagement of the brake shoe 7 5 therewith, resulting in the stopping of the machine. In order to reset the starting mechanism, it is only necessary to rotate the drix e shaft in the opposite direction by means of the knob 44. This will return the stud 46 to the upper end of the arcuate slot 47 which will exert an upward pull on the link to throw the lower arm 56 of the bell crank lever to the. rear and effect a resulting movement of the slide. As the end of the yoke which is beveled as at 77 engages with the nose 76 it will ride up over the same and gravitate behind it to again dispose the cam surface 77 in engagement therewith.

In order to apply the device to a machine which isprovided with a tone arm arranged at the left hand side. the mechanism is provided with reversible elements which it is thought will be obvious from the showing in dotted lines in Fig. 5 of the drawings. In order to apply the device to a machine with a tone arm positioned at the left hand side thereof, the brake lever is reversed by removing the screw pivot 74 and turning the same over; the support 65 is swung to the opposite side and the crank is turned as illustrated in dotted lines. The inturned beveled extremities 87 will operate to disengage the finger 79 by a swinging of the plate 84 in either direction and the actuating nose 76 en ages the opposite cam surface 77 of the yo re. The second stud 45 formed on the beveled gear 31 is provided in event that the device is used in connection with an alarm key which rotates oppositely to the one illustrated, in which instance it is only necessary to aittach the upper end of the link to said stur.

It will be further understood that when desired the brake lever and the brake releasing device may be utilized independently of the starting mechanism as an automatic stop for a graphophone and it will be appreciated that the device is readily attached or detached by manipulating the handle 30 to disengage the lower end of the latch 27 from the opening in the attaching plate.

lVhile there has been illustrated and described a single and preferred embodiment of the invention, it'is understood that the same is merely illustrative of one form and changes and variations in the structure which do not depart from the appended claims may be made when found expedient.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent; is, 1

1.. Means for controlling the operation of a phonograph comprising a vertically movable tone arm support, slidable means for effecting vertical movements of the same, and a device carried by said means adapted to co-act with the brake for causing the release of the same from the turn table upon movement of the slidable means in a direction to effect the lowering of the tone arm support.

2. Means for controlling the operation of a phonograph comprising a vertically movable tone arm support, slidable means for effecting vertical movements of the same, a device carried by said means adapted to coact with the brake for causing the release of the same from the turn table upon movement of the slidable means in a direction to efl'ect the lowering of the tone arm support, means for retaining the brake out of engagement with the turn table, and means adapted to be operated by the tone arm for releasing said retaining means.

3. Means for controlling the operation of a phonograph comprising a vertically movable tone arm support, slidable means for effecting vertical movements of the same, a device carried by said means adapted to coact with the brake for causing the release of the same from the turn table upon movement of the slidable means in a direction to effect the lowering of the tone arm support, and means for actuating the slida'ble means.

4. Means for controlling the operation of a phonograph comprising a vertically movable tone arm support, slidable means for effecting vertical movements of the same, a device carried by said means adapted to coact with the brake for causing the release of the same from the turn table upon movement of the slidable means in a. direction to cited; the lowerin of the tone arm support, and time controlled means for actuating the slidable means.

5. The combination with a phonograph, means for controlling the operation of the same, comprising a vertically movable tone arm, an operating slide, means formed respectively on the slide and tone arm adapted to co-act upon movement of the slide to eliect vertical movements of the tone arm support, and means on the slide adapted to coact with the brake for causing the release of the same from the turn table upon movement of the slide in the direction for eil'ect ing the lowering of the tone arm sup port.

6. The combination with a phonograph, means for controlling the operation of the same, comprising a vertically movable tone arm, an operating slide, means formed re spectively on the slide and tone arm adapted to co-act upon movement of the slide to efiect vertical movements of the tone arm support, means on the slide adapted to co act with the brake for causing the release of the same from the turn table upon movement of the slide in the direction for effecting the lowering of the tone arm support, and means for actuating the slide.

7. The combination with a phonograph, means for controlling the operation of the same, comprising a vertically movable tone arm, an operating slide, means formed respectively on the slide and tone arm adapted to co-act' upon movement of the slide to eifect vertical movements of the tone arm support, means on the slide adapted to coact with the brake for causing the release of the same from the turn table upon movement of the slide in the direction for effecting the lowerin of the tone arm support and time controlled means for actuating the slide.

8. The combination with a phonograph, means for controlling the operation of the same, comprising a vertically movable tone arm, an operating slide, means formed respectively on the slide and tone arm adapted to co-act upon movement of the slide to effect vertical movements of the tone arm support, means on the slide adapted to coact with the brake for causing the release of the same from the turn table upon movement of the slide in the direction for efl'ecting the lowering of the tone arm support, time controlled meansfor actuating the slide, means for retaining the brake out of engagement with the turn table and adjustable means adapted to be operated by the tone arm for releasing said retaining means.

9. The combination with a clock having an alarm mechanism, of a device for starting a phonograph comprising a brake normally adapted to frictionally engage the turn table of said phonograph, and a vertically movable sleeve having a tone arm support, an operating slide, means formed respectively on the slide and the sleeve adapted to co-act whereby to effect vertical movements of the sleeve, means formed respectively on the slide and the brake adapted to 00-2101; for disengaging the brake from the turn table upon the Inovcn'ient of the slide in a direction for effecting the lowering of said sleeve, and mechanism for moving the slide, said mechanism being adapted to be actuated by the alarm mechanism of the clock whereby to effect a movement of the slide in the direction to disengage the brake and lower the sleeve.

10. The combination with a clock having an alarm mechanism, of a device for starting a phonograph comprisin a brake normally adapted to frictionaly engage the turn table of said phonograph, and a vertically movable sleeve having a tone arm support, an operating slide, means formed respectively on the slide and the sleeve adapted to co-act whereby to effect vertical movements of the sleeve, means formed respectively on the slide and the brake adapted to co-act for disengaging the brake from the turn table upon the movement of the slide in a direction for effecting the lowering of said sleeve, mechanism for moving the slide, said mechanism being adapted to be actuated by the alarm mechanism of the clock whereb to effect a movement of the slide in the direction to disengage the brake and lower the sleeve, means for retaining the brake out of engagement with the turn table, and means adapted to be operated by the tone arm for releasing said retaining means.

11. The combination with a clock having an alarm mechanism, of a device, for'starting a phonograph comprising a brake normally adapted to frictionally engage the turn table of said phonograph, and a vertically movable sleeve having a tone arm support, an operating slide, means formed respectively on the slide and the sleeve adapted to co-act whereby to effect vertical movements of the sleeve, means formed respectively on the slide and the brake adapted to co-act for disengaging the brake from the turn table upon the movement of the slide in a direction for effecting the lowering of said sleeve, and mechanism for moving the slide, said mechanism being adapted to be actuated by the alarm mechanism of the clock whereby to effect a movement of the slide in the direction to disengage the brake and lower the sleeve, said mechanism also serving as a means for rewinding the alarm mechanism and resetting the slide.

EUGEN O. BREUNING. 

